Beehive pattern no. 481 - “Handsome Morale Builders” (presumably for the boys off at war, via the miracle of black and white photography!)
Pattern after the jump…

Materials: The original yarn called for Beehive Scotch Fingering, 2 ply (1 oz skeins) Size 9 & 10 - 4 skeins, size 11 - 5 skeins. Beehive Scotch Fingering appears to have had 300 yards/50 grams (about 170 yards to the ounce); the closest substitute we can find is Brown Sheep NatureSpun Fingering, which comes in a million colors and is very cheap. You may also have luck trying these with a double strand of Helen’s Lace, if you’re feeling spendy.

The pattern calls for Royal Society double pointed sock needles, no. 1, which should work fine for the subbed yarn (BE SURE TO CHECK GAUGE.)

Gauge = 9 sts= 1″
Change of size occurs in length of foot only.

Cast on 110 sts over 2 needles. Remove the extra needle and divide the sts on three needles, having 37 sts on 1st and 3rd needles and 36 sts on 2nd needle. Join, being careful not to twist sts, and work around in stockinette st (knit each round) for 2 inches. Next Round: *K1, k1 together, yarn over. Repeat from * around, ending with K2. Following round: Knit around. These 2 rounds form edge for fold of hem. Work for another 2 inches as before in stockinette st, knitting every rnd, ending with Needle 3. Work run stop as ollows: Next round: *K2tog f & b (= Knit together through the front of the next 2 sts, but before allowing the sts to slip off let-hand needle, knit together through the backs of same 2 sts.) Repeat from * around. WWork 2 more inches of stockinete st, then repeat run stop round. This completes top of stocking.

Work pattern as follows:

Round 1:

Needle 1: Knit across.

Needle 2: k1, (k2tog) 3 times, (yo,k1) five times, yo, (k2tog) 6 times; (yo, k1) 5 times, yo, (k2tog) 3 times, k1.

Needle 3: Knit across.

Rounds 2, 3 & 4: Knit around.

Repeat these 4 rounds for pattern for 1 1/2 inches.

Decrease round (starting at round 1, needle 1): K3, k2tog, work around in pattern to last 5 sts on 3rd needle, then sl1-k1-psso, k3. 2 sts decreased.

Continue to work in pattern, decreasing 2 sts in this manner every 4th round until 86 sts remain. Work in pattern st until piece measures 16 inches from cast-on stitches. Repeat decrease round every 4th row as before until 62 sts remain. Work straight until piece measures 26 inches in all. Put sts on st holders and baste hem down (folding at line of holes.) Put stocking on and make sure it is the proper length to start working heel, then slip sts back on needles again.

Heel:

Knit across the 13 sts of Needle 1, then slip the 13 sts of Needle 3 onto Needle 1. Divide the 36 instep sts onto two needles. Attach another strand of yarn, and, using yarn double, work back and forth in stockinette st over the 26 heel sts or 27 rows, ending with a purl row.

To turn heel, k15 sts, sl 1- k1 - psso, k1, turn. Slip 1 st, p5, p2tog, p1, turn. Slip 1 st, k6, sl 1- k1- psso, k1, turn. Slip 1 st, p7, p2tog, p1, turn. Continue in this manner, always working 1 st more on each row, until 16 sts remain. Break off 2nd
strand of yarn.

Gusset:

Next row: Knit across 1st 8 sts, then slip all instep sts onto 1 needle. With another needle knit remaining 8 heel sts (needle 1.) With the same needle, pick up 15 sts along side of heel. With Needle 2, work in pattern across instep sts. With Needle 3, pick up 15 sts along other side of heel and knit across 1st 8 heel sts.

Shape instep as follows:

1st Round: Needle 1: knit across.

Needle 2: work in pattern across.

Needle 3: Knit across.

1st Round: Needle 1: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

Needle 2: Work in pattern across.

Needle 3: K1, sl1-k1-psso, k across.

Repeat these 2 rounds alternately until 60 sts remain. Work straight until foot measures, from back of heel, 6 1/2 inches for size 9, 7 1/2 inches for size 10, 8 1/2 inches for size 11, or 2 1/2 inches less than desired size. Slip 3 sts from each end of Needle 2 to Needle 1 and Needle 3. Each sole needle now has 15 sts and instep needle has 30 sts. Knit around straight (no pattern) for 1/2 inch.

Toe:

Attach a second strand of yarn and use yarn double. Shape toe as follows:

Round 1: Needle 1: Work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

Needle 2: k1, sl1-k1-psso, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

Needle 3: k1, sl1-k1-psso, k to end.

Round 2 & 3: Knit around.

Repeat these three rounds until 40 sts remain, then work 5 more decrease rounds with only 1 round straight between decreases (20 sts remain.)

Weave sts together using kitchener st. Whip hem into place at 1st run stop.